9 to 5
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
2 weeks notice
Hi everyone,
I've been a lurker and haven't posted anything in a long time, but my current situation is complicated and warrants a little nestie-advice. Almost four years ago my now-husband and I were fresh out of college and he applied and interviewed for a job he very much wanted, but was told the company would keep his resume on file. They would contact him from time to time for a status update, but no actual offer or progress. During this time we moved on, he got another job, and a year ago I left my first job to start at my current company. When I interviewed for this position my boss grilled me about whether I was looking to stay in the area long term, and how he wanted to hire someone who would work at the company for a long time, they hate introducing people to clients who then leave, etc. I answered honestly that my family was here, we were looking to stay in the area, and that I very much felt I had the capability to do the job. I was eager for the opportunity to learn more and the possibility of advancement with this company, which was something I did not have at my first job. I did not consider my husband's application to this other company would have any impact on my job, as we had both given up hope of ever hearing anything definitive from them. Well...you guessed it. Four years later and my hubby has his dream job offer...and we have to move out of state early next year for him to pursue it. The last year at my current job has been awful- extremely long hours filled with rude coworkers and tense, headache-inducing work. I have been extremely unhappy and the stress of this job has made me feel like I've aged about 10 years. I talked to some friends (that I met at my previous job) about our situation, and how terrified I was to have to give my notice next year. One of them went to my old boss (completely of her own volition), told her my personal situation and asked her if they would want to hire me temporarily until I had to move. My previous company jumped at the chance (I left on great terms!) and offered me my old job back on a temporary basis yesterday after a quick lunch to discuss specifics- less hours, less stress, similar pay, and no need to worry about advancement since I'm leaving in a few months. The hubs and I talked it over and decided this move made perfect sense for me given our new situation. I can spend my last months in town doing a job I like, with little pressure, surrounded by people I like, and evenings and weekends off to spend with my family. I had my annual review with my current boss today, (timing is everything...) during which he told me he was thrilled with my work and they offered me a substantial raise. I planted the seed of discontent explaining that even with the raise the hours I'm expected to work are out of control, I have been micromanaged to death, my abilities are being under-utilized, and that I am questioning whether this job was a good move for me. He asked if I was actively looking for another job, and if so, to come to him first. I told him that I was coming to him now with my issues and he asked if I had another job offer. I told him I had an offer I was entertaining and that this opportunity has turned out to be something I was not prepared for (i.e., 60 hour work week.) He was disappointed, but calmer than I expected, I hope recognizing the truth in my complaints, then asked if I was expecting to leave within the month. Since I had not formally accepted the other offer yet I told him I didn't know. I have since accepted the other job offer, and here's where things get fun:
1) The company I am returning to works closely with my current employer on several accounts. If I don't let on that I'm going back to my old company they are going to find out where I went very quickly.
2) Since my new position is temporary, they asked that I start as soon as possible, on 10/7. So I need to give my 2 weeks on 9/23. However, I had requested 10/4 off (I am going out of state and can't cancel)...which is now going to be my last day.
3) My boss has no idea that we will be moving, so if I tell him that I'm going back to my old company he's going to think I'm crazy since my main issue was the lack of advancement opportunity (or maybe he won't care...who knows).
4) Our discussion today where I positioned myself as ready to leave was solely focused on my issues with my current job, I feel like it would be strange to waltz in on Monday, quit, and give an entirely different (personal) backstory as rationale.
Any suggestions on how to quit? What to divulge and what to keep secret? I feel a bit boxed into a corner. If I don't mention where I'm going they will find out...if I mention where I'm going it devalues everything I mentioned in my interview about needing opportunity for advancement, which wasn't provided at my previous company... if I tell them I'm going back because I'm moving it also makes me look like I lied about staying in the area long-term. (Also...again might seem odd that I cited aspects of my current job as reasons for my unhappiness/wanting to move on in today's meeting, and then on Monday try to explain I'm actually leaving for more personal reasons?) Oh, and how am I supposed to add that I'll be on "vacation" my last day? I know I shouldn't care so much about what they think I just hate to end on such a flaky note after a year of working my butt off. I feel like if I dare ask for a letter of recommendation after all this my boss will totally lose it.
Suggestions?
I've been a lurker and haven't posted anything in a long time, but my current situation is complicated and warrants a little nestie-advice. Almost four years ago my now-husband and I were fresh out of college and he applied and interviewed for a job he very much wanted, but was told the company would keep his resume on file. They would contact him from time to time for a status update, but no actual offer or progress. During this time we moved on, he got another job, and a year ago I left my first job to start at my current company. When I interviewed for this position my boss grilled me about whether I was looking to stay in the area long term, and how he wanted to hire someone who would work at the company for a long time, they hate introducing people to clients who then leave, etc. I answered honestly that my family was here, we were looking to stay in the area, and that I very much felt I had the capability to do the job. I was eager for the opportunity to learn more and the possibility of advancement with this company, which was something I did not have at my first job. I did not consider my husband's application to this other company would have any impact on my job, as we had both given up hope of ever hearing anything definitive from them. Well...you guessed it. Four years later and my hubby has his dream job offer...and we have to move out of state early next year for him to pursue it. The last year at my current job has been awful- extremely long hours filled with rude coworkers and tense, headache-inducing work. I have been extremely unhappy and the stress of this job has made me feel like I've aged about 10 years. I talked to some friends (that I met at my previous job) about our situation, and how terrified I was to have to give my notice next year. One of them went to my old boss (completely of her own volition), told her my personal situation and asked her if they would want to hire me temporarily until I had to move. My previous company jumped at the chance (I left on great terms!) and offered me my old job back on a temporary basis yesterday after a quick lunch to discuss specifics- less hours, less stress, similar pay, and no need to worry about advancement since I'm leaving in a few months. The hubs and I talked it over and decided this move made perfect sense for me given our new situation. I can spend my last months in town doing a job I like, with little pressure, surrounded by people I like, and evenings and weekends off to spend with my family. I had my annual review with my current boss today, (timing is everything...) during which he told me he was thrilled with my work and they offered me a substantial raise. I planted the seed of discontent explaining that even with the raise the hours I'm expected to work are out of control, I have been micromanaged to death, my abilities are being under-utilized, and that I am questioning whether this job was a good move for me. He asked if I was actively looking for another job, and if so, to come to him first. I told him that I was coming to him now with my issues and he asked if I had another job offer. I told him I had an offer I was entertaining and that this opportunity has turned out to be something I was not prepared for (i.e., 60 hour work week.) He was disappointed, but calmer than I expected, I hope recognizing the truth in my complaints, then asked if I was expecting to leave within the month. Since I had not formally accepted the other offer yet I told him I didn't know. I have since accepted the other job offer, and here's where things get fun:
1) The company I am returning to works closely with my current employer on several accounts. If I don't let on that I'm going back to my old company they are going to find out where I went very quickly.
2) Since my new position is temporary, they asked that I start as soon as possible, on 10/7. So I need to give my 2 weeks on 9/23. However, I had requested 10/4 off (I am going out of state and can't cancel)...which is now going to be my last day.
3) My boss has no idea that we will be moving, so if I tell him that I'm going back to my old company he's going to think I'm crazy since my main issue was the lack of advancement opportunity (or maybe he won't care...who knows).
4) Our discussion today where I positioned myself as ready to leave was solely focused on my issues with my current job, I feel like it would be strange to waltz in on Monday, quit, and give an entirely different (personal) backstory as rationale.
Any suggestions on how to quit? What to divulge and what to keep secret? I feel a bit boxed into a corner. If I don't mention where I'm going they will find out...if I mention where I'm going it devalues everything I mentioned in my interview about needing opportunity for advancement, which wasn't provided at my previous company... if I tell them I'm going back because I'm moving it also makes me look like I lied about staying in the area long-term. (Also...again might seem odd that I cited aspects of my current job as reasons for my unhappiness/wanting to move on in today's meeting, and then on Monday try to explain I'm actually leaving for more personal reasons?) Oh, and how am I supposed to add that I'll be on "vacation" my last day? I know I shouldn't care so much about what they think I just hate to end on such a flaky note after a year of working my butt off. I feel like if I dare ask for a letter of recommendation after all this my boss will totally lose it.
Suggestions?
Re: 2 weeks notice
What you and he said in your interview is water under the bridge. It's no longer applicable. What you said then was years ago. Plus, circumstances have changed where you currently are...it isn't as they described in the interview either.
If you want to give more than a waive good-bye, I would just state that you appreciate all they have done, that you have valued your time there, but that you and your family are moving out of state. You can say for the very short-term, I will be filling in part-time at XYZ company, so I will look forward to bumping into you.
I have moved out of state several times, it is actually a very painless explanation. People can't argue with it and they don't feel offended.
I do think they would be offended if you just walked out with a 2 sentence resignation. While you technically owe your employer no rationale for your leaving, you do need to ask yourself what the most professional departure looks like. And whether or not you want these folks for possible references...a 2 sentence see ya later gator letter, does not bode well for references.
Completely agree with MommyLiberty! A lot can happen in 4 years. Many people have changes of circumstances in a 4 year period, so I wouldn't worry about that at all. I assume you want to leave on good terms since you're worried about this. If you didn't, you probably wouldn't care. I would just explain what you feel comfortable explaining, and then go enjoy your life and the fact that your DH has his dream job! It's an exciting time for y'all and you should celebrate! Know that you have done the right thing for you and your family while still taking into consideration others. You have been open, honest, and professional. That's all anyone can ask for. Good luck!